President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been declared the winner of Tanzania’s presidential election, securing another term in office, even as the country grapples with days of widespread unrest where hundreds of deaths are feared.
Disputed Election Results
The electoral commission announced on Saturday, November 2, 2025, that President Samia won 98% of the votes in Wednesday’s poll. Samia, aged 65, received approximately 31.9 million votes, with turnout nearing 87% of registered voters.
In her victory speech, President Samia declared the election “free and democratic” but accused protesters of being “unpatriotic,” commending security forces for ensuring the violence “did not stop voting.”
- Opposition Rejection: Opposition parties have strongly rejected the results, labeling the vote a “mockery of the democratic process.” The main challengers, including Tundu Lissu (who is detained on treason charges) and Luhaga Mpina (who was barred on technical grounds), were largely prevented from running.
- Zanzibar: In the semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar, the ruling CCM party’s Hussein Mwinyi also secured a win with nearly 80% of the vote, a result which the local opposition alleges was marked by “massive fraud.”
Security Crackdown and Fatalities
The election has been overshadowed by serious violence and a security crackdown that has reportedly left hundreds of people dead and injured. The precise death toll is difficult to verify due to a nationwide internet shutdown.
- Death Toll Estimates: A spokesperson for the opposition Chadema party claimed that “around 700” people have been killed in clashes with security forces, while a diplomatic source cited “credible evidence that at least 500 people had died.”
- Government Response: The government has sought to downplay the scale of the violence, describing it as “a few isolated pockets of incidents here and there.” Authorities have extended a curfew in an attempt to quell the unrest, which has involved mostly young protesters tearing down Samia’s posters and attacking police stations.
- International Concern: International observers have voiced strong concern over the lack of transparency and the turmoil. UN chief Antonio Guterres expressed that he was “deeply concerned,” urging all parties to “prevent further escalation.” The UK, Canada, and Norway have also cited “credible reports of a large number of fatalities.”
The ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), has dominated Tanzanian politics since independence. Prior to the election, rights groups like Amnesty International had condemned government repression, citing a “wave of terror” against opposition figures.
